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Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Tarleton State - 2009 Recruiting Class

Need Help:Linebackers - Marcus Phillips (1st LSC South) returns, but not as much experience here as in other positions. Phillips, Ben Dambold, Chris Goodson, and Lonnie Hewitt will all be seniors as well.

Defensive Secondary - Three starters are gone from last year's team, including Tremaine Wright (1st LSC South). Several young players have game experience, but in the pass-happy LSC South, depth is a concern.

Need Depth:Wide Receivers - With Eric Foreman, Devin Guinn, Jahmeel Hobson, Dorian Williams and Tanner Maher all scheduled to be back, the Texans are in good shape for 2009. All are seniors, so TSU needs to look for replacements for next year.

Running Back - Roderick Smith cracked the 1,000 mark last year, and Eddie Brown and Keith Demby return as well. Smith and Demby are seniors, so some prospects might need to be brought in.

Offensive Line - Lost two starters, including Devin Livingston (1st LSC South). Dustin Washburn (HM LSC South), Mike Hernandez and Jarrod Sheppard return, but will be seniors. We have heard that there is a possibility of Jimmy Fox receiving a medical redshirt. That would help this year, but the team needs to prepare some players for the future.

Good Quality/Depth:Quarterback - Starter Scott Grantham and all of the backups return. Grantham has thrown for 4,875 yards and 38 TDs and still has two years of eligibility remaining.

Defensive Line - Jamaal Steamer (2nd LSC South) and Alonzon Horton (HM LSC South) lead the returnees, 8 of which registered 20+ tackles and combined for 58 tackles for losses, and 18 sacks.

Tarleton State will field a senior-heavy lineup this fall. Adrian Campbell (Butler JC/Arkansas) should help the offensive line out immediately, and four JC transfers led by Lonnie Buchanan (Mississippi Delta JC) will bolster the secondary. The Texans are looking to the future with a solid HS class that includes QBs Jackson Crawley and Aaron Doyle, RB Raphael Sneed, OL Colton Duncan, Casey McKenna and Gray Mowrey, DL Tarmaine Elliott, LBs Thomas Curry and Emaka Ekwulugo, and DB Dashaun Phillips.

LSC Ranking - 5Overall Grade: A-Not a lot of holes from last year's team, but the Texans did a good job of filling one spot on the offensive line, and bring in some transfers to battle for playing time in the secondary. The high school class looks very promising, and, with so many seniors on this year's team, will be needed after this season.